Ohio State vs. Michigan State betting odds guide and prediction

Ohio State is a 3-point road underdog visiting Michigan State, according to sportsbooks monitored by OddsShark.com. This should be a great game between two evenly matched teams, but Michigan State’s experience and home field should give the Spartans the upper hand, despite what the computer is predicting.

The Buckeyes have been favored in every game they’ve played before this one, putting together an impressive 7-1 SU and 6-2 ATS record so far. The issue with the Buckeyes’ schedule to this point is that the team hasn’t played anyone of substance; and in their road game against Penn State, J.T. Barrett looked shaky on offense. Ohio State may have another gear to kick into, but it hasn’t been tested against a team of Michigan State’s caliber thus far. The Buckeyes are 1-3 ATS over their last four road games.

The Spartans don’t have a much stronger resume than Ohio State in the relatively weak Big Ten, but an impressive 27-22 win over Nebraska stands out as a very solid one. Michigan State also has less of a question mark at quarterback coming into this one; unlike J.T. Barrett, who hasn’t played in a game of this magnitude, Connor Cook is as solid as they come and is battle-tested as well. Cook was excellent in Michigan State’s 34-24 win over Ohio State last season.

Michigan State enters this game with a perfect 12-0 SU record in its last 12 games at home and is also 7-3 ATS in its last 10 games at home. By the numbers, very little separates these two teams as Ohio State has scored 45.6 points per game and allowed 19.9 points per game while Michigan State has scored 45.5 points per game and allowed 20.3. But with a great home field advantage and an inexperienced quarterback on the other side of the ball, Michigan State looks good to edge out a win and cover.